Find a Law Firm approved by Family BS

Find a Law Firm approved by Family BS

Find an Approved Solicitor on the Family Building Society
Conveyancing Panel

Family Building Society Conveyancing Panel : Questions and Answers

How easy is it to change a solicitor as I need to find one who is on the Family Building Society conveyancing panel. Is it advisable to appoint a new law firm?

If you haven't yet instructed a solicitor to do anything for you and have just received quotes, you're perfectly free to choose a different solicitor to carry out your work for you. The best way is to get recommendations from friends or family who have actually used the solicitor or conveyancer you're considering.

Please assist. For no fault of my lawyer but, the conveyancing for my house purchase has been going on for months. The Local Authority Search from Family Building Society was date stamped random date and we have agreed a date for me to move into the property on 6. My solicitor has advised that as she is on the Family Building Society conveyancing panel she needs to reorder the searches as they are no longer valid.

A precondition to being on the Family Building Society approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook Part 2 obligations (last updated for this lender on Family Building Society)which states that a local authority search be not more than half a year old. You should nevertheless ask your lawyer to check whether something called ‘search validation’ indemnity insurance is acceptable to Family Building Society.

Do I have to visit the offices of the Family Building Society conveyancing panel solicitor to sign the legal charge? If so, I will appoint a lawyer who conducts conveyancing in Newcastle
so that I can attend their offices when needed.

As opposed to ten years ago, most lenders no longer require their conveyancing panel solicitor to witness the borrowers signature. You will still be obliged to provide ID Documents and there are still distinct advantages to using a local solicitor, in your case a conveyancing solicitor in Newcastle
.

I am purchasing a garden flat and getting a mortgage with Family Building Society. Conveyancing solicitors are said to be ‘a necessary evil’ but can I do it myself?

Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing you will have to appoint a solicitor on the Family Building Society conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to made in you doing to conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on the Family Building Society conveyancing panel in your location.

Are all Conveyancing Quality Solicitors on the Family Building Society conveyancing panel?

A selection of lenders now use the accreditation scheme as the starting point for Panel approval such as HSBC and Santander. The Law Society’s CQS membership however gives no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. That being said,the Council of Mortgage Lenders have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for firms wishing to remain on their panels.

When it comes to mortgage companies such as Family Building Society do solicitors have to be pay a fee to be on the conveyancing panel?

We are not aware of any lender fees to be on their panel although some do charge an administration charge to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel application.

Completion of my purchase has taken place with a mortgage from Family Building Society. Conveyancing was satisfactory but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about Family Building Society. How does one go about formally complaining?

All lenders have complaints procedures. Your first port of call should be one of the Family Building Society branches or the Customer Care Team at Family Building Society head office. Ordinarily complaints to Family Building Society are sorted out effectively and efficiently. If you feel that the matter is not resolved you can write to the
Financial Ombudsman Service who will take matters further.